Technology

The general principle of the Carmeda BioActive Surface (CBAS®) coating technology is to attach functionally active heparin to the surfaces of medical devices. 

Heparin is bound to the surface by End-point attachment™. This proprietary coupling technique is the key to non-thrombogenicity and long-term stability.

The CBAS coating process is entirely water based. In the initial steps, a layer-by-layer base matrix of a positively charged polymeric amine and a negatively charged sulfated carbohydrate is built up. Finally heparin is covalently bound to this base matrix by End-point attachment, at one terminus of the heparin molecule. The coating thickness varies depending on the specific coating configuration (based on application and substrate). A typical coating thickness is in the range of 100nm.

Antithrombin binds to a specific structure in the heparin molecule (1). The binding involves a minor conformational change (2) that speeds up the inactivation of thrombin and other coagulation factors (3). Finally, the complex formed between the antithrombin and thrombin is released, re-exposing the heparin molecule and therefore sustaining the anticoagulant activity (4).  

For more information, please download the CBAS compendium:

CBAS Compendium (PDF 2.5M)